Distribution and habitat

It occurs from southern Angola and Zambia to southern
Africa, where it is common in shrubland (in both arid and semi-arid climates),
dry Acacia savanna with scattered bushes, edges of drainage woodland in
dry areas, fallowed cropland with large bushes and gardens in rural villages.

Breeding

The nest is built by both sexes in roughly 11-12 days, consisting of a
thin-walled oval or pear-shape with a side-top entrance, built of woven
green grass which eventually become dry and pale brown. It is typically
placed about 1 metre above ground in the stems of a bush, shrub, thorny tree
or sapling, or occasionally a clump of tall grass.

Egg-laying season is year-round, peaking from September-April. It may
breed opportunistically after rainfall in Winter, while it is still in
non-breeding plumage.

It lays 2-6 eggs, which are incubated for about 12-15 days.

The chicks are fed by both parents, leaving the nest after about 11-15
days.